Folding chair



v Dec. 27, 1932. v. RUIZ 1,892,166

FOLDING CHAIR Filed Nov. 28. 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet l lNvENT R.

' ATTORNEY Dec. 27, 1932. v, RUlz 1,892,166

FOLDING CHAIR Filed Nov. 28. 1928 3 Sheet-Sheet 2 52 4334 36 lqfl.

V. RUIZ FOLDING CHAIR Dec. 27, 1932.

Filed Nov. 28. 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet. 5

Patented Dec. 27, 1932 UNTED STATES VINCENT RUIZ, OF NEW YORK,

PATENT ori-ies FOLDING ,onere Application filed November 28, 3.928. Serial No. 322,309.

This invention relates to folding chairs, more particularly to folding arm chairs.

My invention has for an object thereof the provision of a folding chair now popularly used in the home for such purposes as card gaines and the like and more particularly resides in providing a folding chair which has combined therewith arm rests. It is conv templated by my invent-ion to provide a new E@ and novel folding chair having arm rests, the elements forming the chair and arms giving the comfort of an arm chair and the compactness of a folding chair.

It is still further an object of my invention to provide a folding chair which has rigidity of construction and eXtreme comfort in use characterized by features of roominess and arm resting portions, without sacrifice of compactness in storage characterized by the rigid elements and arms being foldable in a. layer corresponding to no great-er thickness than that of the material of which the main element of the chair is composed. It is contemplated by my invention to provide a combined folding chair and arm rests which is susceptible of eXtreme ornamentation, as when made of bent wood forming the main frame and including a seat and arm rests capable of being foldable into no greater thickness than the frame whereby the maximum size seat will still be obtained and the comfort of rests for the arms as in larger and completely rigid arm chairs.

'It is still further an object of my invention "5 to provide a folding chair, including arm rests which are equally foldable into alignment with the main frame of the chair, characterized by `all the elements forming the chair, such as seat, supports or legs, frame and arms being coordinated to set up the chair in usable position of its seat and arm rests at a single operation or collapsed into a compact form for storage or for similar purposes.

Other objects of my invention reside in the provision of a folding chair including arm rests which are foldable so that the entire chair may be folded compactly or set up quickly at will, the invention further contemplating foldable arm rests and mount-` ing means therefor to simply and quickly move from a folded lposition in alignment generally with that of the frame to one where in use they will comfortably and rigidly sustain the weight of the arms or elbows of the user. It is still further contemplated by my invention to include in a folding chair, foldable arm rests whereby the latter may be .moved to a usable position and give maximum rigidity for its intended function in supporting the arms of a person, or retracted to the folded position in alignment generally with the frame of the chair without interfering with such elements as the seat and the legs whereby the maximum seating capacity will be retained for use without sacrificeof compactness when not in use.

Other objects of my invention reside in the provision of a folding chair including arm rests which are equally foldable, of simple design and rigid construction to give coordinating'folding action, with the folding elements of the chair and elements thereof.

To attain these objects and such further objects as may appear herein or be hereinafter pointed out, l make reference to the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, in which Figure l is a side elevation, sectional view of my chair in the set up position;

Figure 2 is a similar view of my chair in the folded position;

Figure 3 is a frontV view of my device as set up; Y

Figure 4 is a fragmentary enlargement of a leg and frame oint when the chair is set up;

Figure 5 is a section taken on a line 5 5 of Figure 4;

Figure (S is a View similar to Figure 5 with the chair in the folded position;

Figure 7 is a section taken on the line 7 7 of Figure 5.;

Figure 8 is a section taken on the line 8 8 of Figure G;

Figure 9 is a section taken on the line 9 of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a section taken on the line l0 l0 of Figure l;

Fig. 1l is a perspective view showing the connection between the arm and rear leg.

Making' reference to the drawings, my invention may best be illustrated in connection with a folding chair 10, in which the main 'fr-aine 11 comprises a U-shaped bent wood strip whose downwardly depending legs 12, are braced and connected by the strut 14; located in the legs 12 and 13 approximately at the midpoint of the strip from either of the edges. rllhe lowei` ends 12 and 13 are angularly cut so that they may lie level with the floor line. The thickness of the strip materia-l will give substantial depth towards the rear of the strut 1e for purposes which will appear as this description proceeds.V rlhe upper end of the frame is preferably of slightly lesser depth than the thickness of the strip, at which point there is provided a back rest 15 of any suitable material, such as ply wood. Substantially near the center of the frame 11, between the legs 12 and 13, l pivotally mount a seat member 16 and this may be made of suitable material such as ply wood and upholstered material y17 to lend greater comfort and decorate the upper surface. Y

For pvotally mounting the seat so described, the legs 12 and 13 are provided with pivots 18. These may be a metal casting or forging suitably set in the body of the inaterial forming` the leg 12. The pivot formed is preferably located so that its pivotal point is to one side of the center line of the strip forming the leg 12. To each side of the seat 16 I provide pivotal points 19, which are preferably formed upon the channel member 20, as by upsetting the same from a metal stamping of that form and the branches of this channel liXed in position on the seat by the rivet 21. In this manner, the seat may be positioned between the legs 12 and 13 and occupy substantially the full width between these members. Disposed upwardly between the legs 12 and 13 I provide the rear legs 22 and 23, connected to each oth-er by the brace 24 and to the legs 12 and 13 adjacent its upper end 25 by the pins 26 as to permit pivotal movement of the legs. These pins are suitably headed to lock the legs securely in this pivotal position. These legs are preferably formed of a thickness less than the full width of the legs 12 and preferably arranged to lie flush with the legs 12 rearwardly of the brace 14. Intermediate the length of the legs 22 and 23, there is provided a slot 27 into which is arranged to be disposed the pintle 28 formed on the casting 29, attached to the rear portion of the seat 16 at 30, adjacent the offset portions 31, best shown in dotted line in Figure 3. It will be understood that the seat 16 is support-ed in the pivots 18 by the pins 19, projecting` thereinto upon the frontal legs 12 and 13 and upon the legs 22 and 23 by the pins 28 extending in the slot 27. The upper wall 27 of the slot 27, forming a stop for the pin 28 to prevent upward pivotal movement of the rearward portion of the seat 16, at the same time maintains the pairs of legs 12 and 13 and 22 and 23 not only in spaced relationship but also to serve as a means to move the legs to the open and closed position by mero pivotal swinging of the seat 16. lt will further be observed that with the pivots 18 disposed to one side of the center line of the legs 12 and 13 and with the pin 28 offset as shown witliii'i the slot 17 in `the folded position, as shown in Figure 2, the seat 16 and legs 22 and 23 may lie within the confines of the Vframe 22, without adding any additional thickness and when disposed in the folded position, as shown in Figure 2, the offset pin 28 will engage the slot 27 and prevent independent opening of the legs 22 and 23 from the folded position.

Upwardly disposed from the seat upon the legs 12 and 13, at a convenient position, l provide arm rests 32. rlhese are arranged to be set up approximately at right angles to the legs 12 and 13, with the shoulders 33 abutting the frontal edge of the legs 12 and connected thereto for pivotal mounting inwardly of the body of the chair by the hinge assembly 34, li ving an arm engaging portion 35 preferably comprising a bent sheet metal strip to which the arm is attached by rivets or other suitable connection. The arm engaging portion 35 is formed rearwardly thereof with a bearing portion 36 mouned within a U-shaped strap 37, through tl e spaced arms of which. 38 and 39, there is disposed the pintle 10. connecting this portion of the hinge through the bearingy portion 36, previously described. The rearward wall of the strap 37 is connected to the L-shaped plate Ll1 by a rivet l2, loosely set so that it permits pivotal movement of the strap thereon. The hinged assembly thus described is all set within the cut out portion 4:3 within the frontal side of the legs 12 and 13 so as to dispose the arms 32 with their shoulders 33 abutting against the frontal portion of the legs 12 and 13, as more clearly shown in Figures 1, 4 and 5. The depending portion of the plate 41 is disposed downwardly that the pin 26 passes therethrough, thereby forming reinforcing bearing portions for the pins 26 passing through the legs 12 and 13 at this point, as will be readily understood. when the main frame of the chair is made of wood. will be observed that with the hinge mounting for the arms 32 as shown in the set up position, as shown in `Figures 1. 3, 4r and 5, the arms 32 will be given all. the rigidity necessary in performing their intended function as arm rests, preventing lateral and longitudinal displacement in their abutting position, as well as being prevented from outward displacement by the positive stopping action of the hinge itself and the limiting action of the abutment of the end 33 as above described. It will also be observed that interior pivotal movementis not only upon the strap 37 on the axis of the pintle 40 but the strap itself, being mounted pivotally upon the pin 42, Will give double. (vertical and lateral) movement to the hinge so that in its inwardly folded position, as more clearly shown in dotted lines in Figure 3, the arms 32 willv be given an upward tilt, as more clearly shown by the position of the arm engaging portion 35 in Figure 8. The advantages resulting from this Combined pivotal and tiltable movement will app-ear more clearly as this description proceeds.

In order to coordinate the. folding vmovement of the arms 32 with the setting up and folding of the chair, that is the legs 12l and 13` rear legs 22 and 23 and seat 16, it is preferred that the movement of these members relatively to the general frame of the chair be such as to effect a simultaneous movement of the arm rests. For this purpose, the hinge .assembly v34 has attached thereto at the cut out portions 43e of the arms disposed interiorly thereof, an operating pin 44, riveted tothe .extension 35 so as to at the same time join these members by the connecting operation of upsetting the metal of the pin 44 to each side ofthe straps forming Ithe member 35. The pin 44 is suitably shaped at 45 to have a camming surface and is arranged to be disposed in engagement with the camming plate 46 attach-ed adjacent the end 25 of thelegs 22 and 23. The plate 46 is substantially L-shaped in cross section, with the interior facing 47 disposed on the end `25 of the leg adjacent the extension 41 and is similarly .disposed so that it has an orifice through which the pin 26 passes, forming aV bearing surface therefor. This plate serves to reinforce the orifice of the legs 22 and 23 through which the pin 26 passes` particularly when the material of which the legs are made is wood. The plate 46 has a frontal branch 48, through which there may be passed a fasteningl element, such as a `bol-t 49. The plate 46 and the branch 48 thereby form a reinforcing corner for the end 25 .of the leg and immediately thereunder the leg is cut out at 50 so as to provide a clearance portion. The corner which forms part of the L-shaped plate 46 is cut away at y51 'so as to have an enlarged clearance face 52, a laterally directed camming edge 53. a curvilinear edge f 54, cooperating with the corner to form a stop for the pin 44 when the arm is in the unfolded position, shown more clearly in Figures 4 and V5. The 4curvilinear edge 54 extends gradually into a camming edge 5.6 formed on the branch 48 of the plate. The combined curvilinear surfaces of the edge 54, forming the camming edge 56, is so formed in respect to the pivotal :center Vrunning through the pin 26 that upon spreading .of the legs 12, 13 from the pair of legs, 22 and 23, the upper end 25 of the rear legs will, through the medium ofthe eamming plate 46 just described, engage the operating pin 44 to move the armsl from lthe folded position to the collapsed position and vice versa.` With the arm as positioned in 'Figure 4 in the set up position, an upward tilting action of the sea-t 16 will serve to draw the rear legs 22 and 23 in alignment with the legs 12 and 13, ac-

tuating the same through the slot engagement l of the extension 28 within this portion. Pivotal movement about the pin 26 will also an gularly move the end 25 beyond the pin 26. During this movement the pin 44, particularly at its camming point45, will be engaged by the camming plate 46 so as to have thecamming vedge 56 draw the pin-inwardly and thereby pivot the arm about the pintle 4.0. The camming action of the camming surface 54 will not merely serve t0 draw the pin 44 to the folded position but by the combined action -of the camming surface 56 and the radial displacement of the end 25 about the pin V2,6, will upwardly draw the pin 443m simultaneously pivot the strap 37 about the pin 42. thereby causing a compound swinging and tilting of the arms 32. Downward tilting movement of the branch 35 and the arm carried thereby Iis prevented by extending the cammin-g surface 56 at 57 to form a stop. Thus, when the pin is completely drawn to the folded position as more clearly shown in Figures 6 and 8, the downward .tilting action of the branch 35 and the armcarr'ed thereby will be sustained in this position by the stop 57, as just mentioned. lBy this compound movement, the upward curved edge 16 of the seat may be extended and thel arms as folded will in no way serve to interfere with the making of the seat member of such size as to lend greater comfort to the user.

A clearance portion 43a on the arm will nest in the clearance portion 435011 the leg 22 to thereby permit more compact super-positioning `of the .edge of theV leg and arm, and also give proper clearance between these parts,

To unfold the chair from the position just described, the upper edge 16 ofthe seat 16 is grasped in Aone hand and the back in the other, to separate .the parts. The downward tilting action .of the seat Vforces the legs 22 and 23 ba clwardlv, .the .curvilinear movement of the pin 28 being compensated by movement within the slot 27. This action serves to pivot the legs 22 and 23 about the center 26, giving a proportionate movement to the end 25 extending bevond the pin 26. The outward corner 58 of the plate 46 combined with the ,camming action of the Ysurface .56 serves to downwardly and outwardly move the arms 32 by actuating the pin 44 until at the fully .diStcnded Vposition of the ,legs 22 and 23, thearms 32 Aare disposed with the shoulders 33 `against the frontal portion of thelegs 12 and 13 in butt-joint relationship. Continued outward folding is therebyprevented by this engagement, whereas the corner 55 serves to hold the pin 44 against inward tilting action.

In this way it will be observed that I have provided a folding chair or extreme compactness and simplicity of parts in that substantially only three main moving elements are provided, including the actuation of the arm rests. It will further be observed thatall the parts are coordinated so that'a single movement of theseat in relation to the frame will set up the chair end arms into proper position. Similarly, in folding theV chair, a simple movement-of the seat will serve to dispose the legs in nested position, the legs coordinating with the arms to simultaneous4 ly fold the same into overlying position on the frame adjacent the back, in this way providing a novel folding chair construction with arm rests which is simply and quickly set up in positionl or folded compactly for storage purposes.

Having thus described my invention and illustrated its use, what I claim as `new and desire to secure by LettersPatent, is-` 1. A folding chair comprising a frame including a back, a seat pivotally mounted on said frame, arm rests mounted on said frame, pivotal mounting means for said arm rests, the pivotal connection for saidl a'rm rests being arranged to permit a lateral pivotal movement of the arm rests within the con'-` tines of said frame, and operating means con.- nected with said seat for folding said arm rests in the aforementioned position.

2. A folding chair including in combination a frame and back therefor, a seat piv otally mounted in said frame, arm rests disposed on said frame, mounting means for said arm rests topivotally dispose the same laterally Within the confines of said frame, legs pivotally mounted on saidframe connected with said seat and means disposed from said legs connected with said arms to cooperatively fold said arms upon pivotal movement of said seat.

3. A folding chair comprisingspaced uprights forming the frame, a seat arranged between said uprights, pivotally connected with said uprights, rear legs pivotally connected with said uprights having, engage- A ment with the rear portion of said seat,

arm rests disposed from said uprights, means for mounting said arm rests in pivotal connection with said uprights, laterally into the plane of said frame and into the confines thereof, means connecting said arm rests vwith portions of said rear legs to cooperatively move said arms by movement of said'legs.

4. A folding chair comprising spaced uprights, a seat arranged therebetween, and pivotally connected with said uprights, rear legs pivotallyl connected to said uprights and having slidable connection with said seat, arm rests each having lateral pivotal mounting on said uprights and connecting means between said arm rests and portions of said legs whereby relative movement of said legs and uprights will serve to coordinately swing said arm rests into folded position laterally with the foldinr movement of said legs and seat.

5. A folding chair comprising spaced uprights, a seat arranged between, pivotally connected with said uprights, the pivotal connection being at an intermediate point in the length of the seat, rear legs pivotally connected 'to said uprights, leg engaging means on said seat arranged to have sliding engagement with said legs,rarn'i rests mounted on said uprights, laterally pivotal mounting means for said arm rests, extensions on said legs andjconnecting means between said eX- tensions and arm rests to cooperatively move vsaid arm rests to the folded position within the contines of the frame with movement of said rear legs to the folded posit-ion.

6. In a folding chair, a pair of side frame members spaced apart, including legs, a seat pivotally mounted between said members, arm rests each having a lateral and vertical pivotal connection on said side members for movement inwardly and upwardly within the yconfines of the side members and out` wardly in arm resting position, and cooperating connecting meansbetween said seat and arm rests comprising a support for the seat whereby the arm rests may be coordinately unfolded and folded withthe unfolding and.

folding of the chair and the arms may be folded clear of the folded position of the seat.

7. A folding chair including a frame including spaced side members, a seat pivotally mounted on said side members, legs connected with said side members and seat for coordinate folding movement, arm rests each having a lateral pivotal connection mounted on said side members, extensions on said legs formed with camming slots, engaging members on said arms to guide fsaid arms tothe folded and unfolded position by movement of said seat.

8. A folding chair including a frame includingspaced side members, a seat pivotally mounted on. said side members, legs connected with said side members andv seatfor coordinate folding movement, arm rests including mounting means pivotally and tiltablyi, hingedly mounted on said side members, extensions on said legs formedwvith camming slots, engaging pin members on said arms to guide said arms to the folded and unfoldedy position by movement of said seat and in the folded posit-ion clear of said seat.

9. A folding chair including a frame including spaced side members, a seat pivotally mounted between said side members, folding legs connected with said frame, arm rests free at one end and having the opposite end disposed on said, frame, lateral hinged mountings for said arms for movement in relation to said side members, camming portions on said legs engaging complemental portions on said arm rests to fold and unfold said arms with the folding and unfolding of said legs.

l0. A folding chair including a frame including spaced side members, a seat pivotally mounted between said side members, folding legs connected with said frame, arm rests free at one end and having the opposite end disposed on said frame, lateral hinged mountings for said arms for movement in relation to said side members, camming portions on said legs adjacent said arms, complemental pins on said arms, engaging said camming portions to fold and unfold said arms by fold ing movement of said legs.

11. A. folding chair including a frame having spaced side members, a seat pivotally mounted therewith, folding legs connected to said frame, arm rest-s disposed on said frame, laterally hinged mounting for each of said arm rests, the hinges for said arm rests being formed to provide lateral movement of the arm rests in relation to said side members, a

camming plate and complemental pin in cooperative engagement with each other, disposed on adjacent portions of each of said arm rests and legs whereby movement of said seat will fold and unfold said arm rests.

12. A folding chair including a frame including spaced side members, a seat pivotally mounted between said side members, folding legs connected with said frame, arm rests free at one end and having the opposite end disposed on said frame, tiltable laterally hinged mountings for said arms, extensions on said legs, camming plates on said extensions, complemental pins on said arms adjacent to said camming plates and lying transversely thereto whereby movement of said legs will fold and unfold said arm rests.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name this 21st day of November, 1928.

VINCENT RUIZ. 

